Simplified searching for media services using a control device

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/383,356 that was filed on Mar. 6, 2003. The presentapplication is also related to PCT/US03/41571 that was filed on Dec. 29,2003 and which also claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/383,356.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer related informationsearch and retrieval, and more specifically to use of a control devicefor enabling the search for a media services available through acommunications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communications networks, such as the Internet, have made a variety ofmedia services such as multimedia files or streaming programmingavailable to the average user. A user searching for a type ofprogramming however may have difficulty in locating a media serviceburied among the millions of programming services and files availablethrough the Internet. The volume and variety of media services availableis likely to continue to increase as more users and content providersmove from narrowband to broadband connections. This growth, combinedwith the highly decentralized nature of the Internet, createssubstantial difficulty in locating a particular media service.

A user may use a program known as a search engine to locate mediaservices available through a communications network. A search enginecomprises a set of programs that are accessible at a network site withina communications network, for example, a local area network (LAN) or theInternet with World Wide Web sites. One program, called a “robot” or“spider”, pre-traverses a network in search of media services (locatedat web pages, FTP sites, and the like) and builds large index files ofkeywords found in sources of metadata related to such media services.Typically, a user formulates a query comprising one or more search termsand submits the query to another program of the search engine. Inresponse, the search engine inspects its own index files and displays alist of media services that match the search query, typically ashyperlinks to the media services. The user then activates a hyperlink toretrieve a listed media service.

Search engines, however, have drawbacks. For example, many searchengines require a user to input a text query for searching for availableresources. This type of text query is typically entered into a searchengine via a keyboard or other type of input device accommodatingcomplex input commands from a user. This situation may be less thendesirable when a user is operating in a setting without easy access to acomputer keyboard, such as when using a home-based media centertypically centered around a display device as a television set. The usermay not have anything more than a remote control (with a limited meansof input) to select between media service choices. The user thereforemay not directly utilize the resources of a search engine, unless thecontrol device accommodates a complex set of input functions.

Therefore, a need exists for a system and method, which permits a userto search for a media service available through a communication networkvia control device for use in a media center environment, withoutrequiring the input of text for a search query.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for media contentrelated to a selected media service. A selected media service, chosenvia a user operable indicator, has metadata related to the selectedmedia service. This metadata is formatted automatically into a searchquery. The search query is submitted to a search engine that returnssearch results related to the selected media service. The search isinitiated by enabling a search function via a user control device,without requiring textual input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawing. The variousfeatures of the drawings may not be to scale. Included in the drawingare the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an overview illustration of a system of a communicationnetwork;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system of a media center inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a representation of an user interface displaying two renderedmedia services in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a representation of a user interface displaying two renderedmedia services, one of the media services being selected, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3C is a representation of a user interface displaying two renderedmedia services, and search results returned from a multimedia search, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a search for media content related to aselected media service, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a representation of a user control device used for operating asearch, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a representation of search results returned from a searchquery, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary example of a set top box, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and a system for retrieving mediaservices, content, and data related to media services, as availablethrough a communications network. As detailed below, a search system isdescribed for a media center utilizing metadata related to a selectedmedia service. As used herein, the term “media services” and “mediacontent” include audio, video, textual, broadcasted programs, multimediadata files, and streaming media files. Broadcasted programs compriseservices that are capable of being rendered via a radio, television set,or other type of rendering media device. Such broadcasted services aretypically broadcasted from a television or radio station through theairwaves, and received as data signals via a cable connection, satellitedish, antenna, and any other of connection capable of deliveringbroadcasts. Programming may also be transmitted through a communicationsnetwork, as the Internet, for rendering by a computer program known as amedia browser or player, such as REALONE® or MICROSOFT MEDIA PLAYER®.

Multimedia files comprise any combination of text, image, video, andaudio data. It is to be noted that a file consisting of just video oraudio data is also to be defined as a multimedia file. Streaming mediacomprises audio, video, multimedia, textual, and interactive data filesthat are delivered to a user's device via the Internet or othercommunications network environment that may play on the user'scomputer/device before delivery of the entire file is completed. Oneadvantage of streaming media is that streaming media files begin to playbefore the entire file is downloaded, saving users the long waittypically associated with downloading the entire file.

Examples of the content of multimedia files and streaming media includesongs, political speeches, news broadcasts, movie trailers, livebroadcasts, radio broadcasts, financial conference calls, live concerts,web-cam footage, and other special events. Streaming media is encoded invarious formats, examples including REALAUDIO®, REALVIDEO®, REALMEDIA®,APPLE QUICKTIME®, MICROSOFT WINDOWS® MEDIA FORMAT, QUICKTIME®, MPEG-2LAYER III AUDIO, and MP3®. Typically, media files are designated withextensions (suffixes) indicating compatibility with specific formats.For example, media files (e.g., audio and video files) ending in one ofthe extensions, .ram, .rm, .rpm, are compatible with the REALMEDIA®format. Some examples of file extensions and their compatible formatsare listed in the following table. A more exhaustive list of mediatypes, extensions and compatible formats may be found athttp://www.bowers.cc/extensions2.htm.

TABLE 1 Format Extension REALMEDIA ® .ram, .rm, .rpm APPLE QUICKTIME ®.mov, .qif MICROSOFT .wma, .cmr, .avi WINDOWS ® MEDIA PLAYER MACROMEDIAFLASH .swf, .swl MPEG .mpg, .mpa, .mp1, .mp2 MPEG-2 LAYER III .mp3,.m3a, .m3u Audio

Metadata as descriptive data literally means “data about data.” Metadatais data that comprises information that describes the contents orattributes of other data (e.g., media service). For example, a documententitled, “Dublin Core Metadata for Resource Discovery,”(http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2413.txt) separates metadata into threegroups, which roughly indicate the class or scope of informationcontained therein. These three groups are: (1) elements relatedprimarily to the content of the resource, (2) elements related primarilyto the resource when viewed as intellectual property, and (3) elementsrelated primarily to the instantiation of the resource. Examples ofmetadata falling into these groups are shown in the following table.

TABLE 2 Intellectual Content Property Instantiation Title Creator DateSubject Publisher Format Description Contributor Identifier Type RightsLanguage Source Relation Coverage

Sources of metadata include web page content, uniform resourceindicators (URIs), media files, and transport streams used to transmitmedia files. Web page content includes HTML, XML, metatags, and anyother text on the web page. As explained in more detail, herein,metadata may also be obtained from the URIs, uniform resource locators(URLs) the web page, media services, and other metadata. Metadata withinthe media service may include information contained in the media file,such as in a header or trailer, of a multimedia or streaming file, forexample. Metadata may also be obtained from the media/metadata transportstream, such as TCP/IP (e.g., packets), ATM, frame relay, cellular basedtransport schemes (e.g., cellular based telephone schemes), MPEGtransport, HDTV broadcast, Packet Identifiers (PIDs) related tobroadcasted programming, and wireless based protocol transport packets,for example. Metadata may also be transmitted in a stream in parallel oras part of the stream used to transmit a media file (a High Definitiontelevision broadcast is transmitted on one stream and metadata, in theform of an electronic programming guide, is transmitted on a secondstream).

Each media service has a respective set of associated metadata. Themetadata is used as the core for allowing a media service to besearchable within the context of a search engine. A web crawlerassociated with a search engine will go to resources available through acommunications network trying to locate media services and metadata. Asthe web crawler identifies a particular media service, the web crawleruses a component to determine what metadata is associated with the mediaservice. For example, a web crawler identifies a media service locatedat the URl http://www.trancemusic.com/acidjazz.mp3, which is associatedwith an MP3 file called “ACIDJAZZ”. The web crawler (as an extractionmodule) will note and extract metadata related to the media service'slocation, title, and any additional metadata that may be contained inthe data of or related to the media service. In the present case, theMP3 service has an associated tag with metadata and metadata fieldsidentifying the media service's composer, copyright date, and genre ofmusic. The web crawler takes all the metadata, via an extraction modulewith the associated metadata fields and catalogs the media service intoa searchable index that is accessible by a search engine. Differentmethods may be used to access metadata associated with a media service,as consistent with principles of the present invention.

Rendering a media service represents the playing of a media service.Rendering typically takes the form of displaying a video based mediaservice and producing audio of an audio based media service. Therendering of a media service takes place in a rendering environment. Fora video service, the rendering environment would be a window or area ofdisplay (partial or full screen of a display device) where the videoservice is shown. Audio based media services are rendered by use ofloudspeaker(s) or other type of device capable of producing audio.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system 100 that has media servicesavailable through a communications network. Each computer system network102 and 112 contains at least one corresponding local computer processorunit 104 (e.g., server), which is coupled to at least one correspondinglocal data storage unit 106 (e.g., database), and local network users108. A computer system network may be a local area network (LAN) 102 ora wide area network (WAN) 112, for example. The local computer processorunits 104 are selectively coupled media centers 110 through the network(e.g., Internet) 114. Each of the plurality of local computer processors104, the network user processors 108, and/or the media centers 110 mayhave various devices connected to system, as a computer system,television set, video tape recorder, personal video recorder, digitalvideo disc (DVD), and the like. A local computer processor 104, networkuser processor 108, and/or media center 110 are programmed with a mediabrowser for locating and selecting (e.g., by clicking with a mouse) amedia service that is located in the local data storage unit 106 of acomputer system network 102, 112. The media services may contain linksto other computer systems, Web pages, and other media content.

Local computer processor 104 and network user processor 108 may be acomputer terminal, a pager which can communicate through the Internetusing an Internet Protocol (IP) based communication, a Kiosk withInternet access, a connected electronic planner (e.g., a PALM devicemanufactured by Palm, Inc.) or other device capable of interactivecommunication through a network, such as an electronic personal planner.The local computer processor 104, the network user processor 108, and/orthe media center 110 may also be a wireless device, such as a hand heldunit (e.g., cellular telephone), that connects to and communicatesthrough the Internet using the wireless access protocol (WAP). Networks102 and 112 may be connected to the network 114 by a modem connection, aLocal Area Network (LAN), cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL),twisted pair, wireless based interface (cellular, infrared, radiowaves), or equivalent connection utilizing data signals. Databases 106may be connected to the local computer processor units 104 by any meansknown in the art. Databases 106 may take the form of any appropriatetype of memory (e.g., magnetic, optical, etc.). Databases 106 may beexternal memory or located within the local computer processor 104, thenetwork user processor 108, and/or the media center 110. Database 106may have media services and related metadata that can be retrieved bymedia center 110.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, network user processors 108and/or media center 110 include one or more program modules that allowuser processors 108 and/or media center 110 to communicate with localprocessor 104, and each other, over network 114. The program module(s)include program code, written in PERL, Extensible Markup Language (XML),Java, Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML), any other equivalent languagethat allows network user processors 108 to access the program module(s)of the local processors 104 through browser programs stored on networkuser processors 108, or any combination thereof.

Web sites, web pages, and data stores (FTP, servers, etc.) are locationsavailable through a network, such as the Internet, where media servicesreside. A web site, and/or data store may comprise a single or severalweb pages, media services, media content, media files, and the like. Aweb page is identified by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), as anexample of a URl, comprising the location (address) of the web page onthe network. Web sites, web pages, and data stores may be located onlocal area network 102, wide area network 112, network 114, processingunits (e.g., servers) 104, and user processors 108. Media services andrelated metadata may be stored in any storage device, such as a harddrive, compact disc, and mainframe device, for example. Content may bestored in various formats, which may differ, from web site to web site,from data store to data store, and even within a web page.

In FIG. 2, audio and video multimedia devices of media center 200 (mediacenter 110 in FIG. 1), comprising a plurality of connected multimediadevices, is shown as an example of an operating environment for thepresent invention. The multimedia devices forming entertainment system200 are preferably connected through a wire-based interface (e.g., RCAcables, Ethernet, coaxial cable, phone lines, IEEE-1394 compliantcables, copper wire, serial cables, optical cable, USB) that provides abi-directional communications between devices. Optionally, themultimedia devices comprising entertainment system 200 communicatethrough a wireless interface (e.g., radio frequency, infrared,BLUETOOTH™, 802.11 B, 802.11A). Alternatively, the communications areuni-directional utilizing a relationship where one multimedia device isa controller (master) and other multimedia devices (slaves) are coupledto the controller.

The communications between multimedia devices comprises two levels ofinformation: multimedia signals (media services) that are generated andprocessed in selected audio and video output states available from aplurality of connected multimedia devices, and control information usedto manage the connected multimedia devices. The information transmittedis in a digital, analog, and/or a combination thereof data format. Forexample, multimedia signals generated by DVD player 208 while playing aDVD (media service) are a stereo audio signal outputted for a stereobased selected audio output state and a 2080×1920 pixel 60 Hz interlacedvideo signal outputted for a HD based selected video output state. Thecontrol commands are communications signals that are preferably JAVA™ orXML compliant (that comport to a packet-based structure (TCP/IP),capable of being processed by a data interface/controller residinginternal or used for controlling connected multimedia devices.Optionally, the control information is communicated as a parameter(value) of an electric circuit (e.g., voltage, resistance, current,inductance, capacitance) and/or a change in a parameter of an electricsignal (e.g., a change in resistance or voltage). As an alternativeembodiment, the information transmitted on both levels is in the form ofmetadata that complies with a proprietary standard (HAVI, MPEG-7, andthe like).

Set top box 218 functions as a gateway between media center 200 andmedia services received from a remote source, as through network 114(shown in FIG. 1). Media services are capable of being rendered by settop box 218 in selected audio and video output states. A remote source(e.g., satellite, Internet, cable, broadcasting antenna, public switchedtelephone network (PSTN), cellular network, infrared transmitter), as aservice provider, communicates media services as signals that arereceived by a receiver such as digital satellite system 234, modem 220,and antenna 140. The received media services are distributed through themedia center 200 for use by other multimedia devices connected toaudio/video receiver 206, and/or coupled to the set top box 218.Optionally, devices as digital satellite system 234 and modem 220bi-directionally communicate with a remote source for requesting mediaservices (for example, a video on demand from a cable service provider)and for performing maintenance for the entertainment system 200 (e.g.,downloading a new audio output state, receiving electronic program guideinformation, upgrading software drivers and codecs).

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of set top box 218 for controllingmedia center 200. Video processor 730 and audio processor 740 are usedby set top box 218 for rendering a media service. Video processor 730also displays characters of selections made via a user control device,as a remote control, via an on screen display (OSD) function. GuidedUser Interface 724 (GUI) is a control system that allows the functionsof set top box 218 (related to rendering a media service, sound/graphicoptions, and the like) to be controlled graphically, as through the useof a user operated indicator (as an arrow, cursor, or the like). Memory736 stores programming modules, maintenance routines, extracted metadatafrom media services, search results, and other data necessary to operatemedia center 200. Microprocessor 726 controls the operation of set topbox 218, where microprocessor 726 is coupled to GUI 724, video processor730, memory 736, and audio processor 740. Data interface/controller 728couples microprocessor 726 to a communication interfaces as cable modem750 (for receiving broadband media services) or antenna 760 (forreceiving broadcasted programming). Other components or modules may beused with set top box 218, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

Media center 200 also accommodates and distributes media servicesavailable from local sources. DVD player 208, video tape recorder 210,personal and video recorder 230, coupled to the audio/receiver 206, areexamples of multimedia devices that provide media services locally (forexample, video tape recorder 210 plays a video tape storing a movie)through the use of a removable medium (e.g., video tape, DVD, computerdisc, flash memory, compact disc). Other multimedia devices as mediaserver 234 and a streaming media player 212, coupled to theaudio/receiver 206, provides locally sourced media services from a localstorage device (e.g., hard disc drive, optical disc, flash or staticram). Optionally, media services stored in a local storage device werereceived and archived from remote sources or from other multimediadevices connected to the media server 234. Other sources of mediaservices are generated locally by software running on microcomputer 214or video game system 216, which are distributed through a connection toother connected multimedia devices of media center 200.

Media center 200 utilizes multimedia devices for processing andoutputting media services in accordance with selected audio and videooutput states. Audio/video receiver 206 is a multimedia device thatmatches a source of a media service to multimedia devices that processand output the media service in a selected audio and/or video outputstate. For example, DVD player 208 distributes an HD video based mediaservice (of a local or remote origin) via the audio/video receiver 206to high definition television 202. The audio/video receiver 206preferably selects sources and multimedia devices by control commands.Preferably the audio/video receiver 206 selects for video based mediaservices a standard definition television 204 for displaying mediaservice supporting an SD state, and high definition television 202 fordisplaying media services supporting an HD state. Optionally, computermonitor 232 displays a locally based media service generated by themicrocomputer 214.

Audio-based media services are supported through the audio-basedmultimedia devices available through media center 200. Preferably, theaudio based media services (of local or a remote origin) are outputtedby an audio system comprising a group of loudspeakers comprising atleast one of stereo speaker 222, stereo speaker 224, center channelspeaker 226, and sub-woofer speaker 228. Optionally, standard definitiontelevision 204, high definition television 202, or the computer monitor232 is used to output an audio-based media service via an audiocomponent in the multimedia device (loudspeaker). Audio/video receiver206 can choose a group of loudspeakers from the audio system inaccordance with a selected audio output state, wherein a second group ofspeakers is chosen when the selected audio output state changes.

FIG. 3A shows an example of media services being rendered on a displaydevice. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, a displaydevice such as high definition television 202 (from FIG. 2) receivesdata signals containing media services via set top box 218. The datasignals are rendered by high definition television 202 in a renderingenvironment (window). In the present case, high definition television202 displays two media services 305, 310 via a picture-in-picturewindow. Media service 305 is a high definition television broadcast(1080 i video) of the show “ALIAS”, transmitted as a televisionbroadcast. Media service 310 is a streaming media broadcast (320×240resolution) of a Dave Matthews concert available through the Internetthat is rendered via a media browser or player. Set top box 218 may alsocontrol the distribution and rendering by devices of other mediaservices. Additionally, a media device may render one or more mediaservices at a time, depending on the number of media services availableand the processing power of the device rendering a media service.

Media services are selected via the operation of a user control device,as a remote control or other type of device that accepts user input. Auser selects media services by using referral data that identifies aparticular media service. The referral data is either entered in by auser or selected (via a list) for choosing a media service. A channelnumber, on which a media service is being broadcasted on, is one exampleof referral data that is entered for obtaining a media service.Alternatively, media services are listed in an electronic programmingguide, a list of URIs, a frequently selected media service list, and thelike. Listed media services may be selected via the user control device.The rendering of a selected media service opens a new window (as arendering environment), or replaces the media service currently beingrendered in current rendering environment. Alternatively, a secondrendering environment is created for a selected media service when afirst media service is currently being rendered in a first renderingenvironment, although other rendering techniques may be used inaccordance with principles of the present invention.

Media service 305 has associated metadata that identifies attributes ofthe content that may be rendered. Set top box 218 has a metadataextraction module, as software code that identifies metadata andmetadata fields associated with a media service, such metadata fields asbeing actors, title, author, date of original broadcast, future dates ofbroadcasts of media service 305, and other types of content relatedattributes. The extraction module operates similar to a web crawler orother type of metadata extraction program. Most of the metadata relatedto media service 305 was extracted from an EPG listing media service305. The programming stream that media service 305 is part of, such asdata packets or PIDs identifying segments of media service 305, suppliesadditional metadata. Likewise, media service 310 has metadata andmetadata fields that identify the attributes of the media content of theservice such as the members of the band, song set list, date of originalperformance, guest performers, etc. Metadata within the bit stream ofmedia service 310 is extracted by the extraction module. The dataextraction module stores this information in a memory cache, as memory736 (FIG. 7) for further processing.

As an alternative for acquiring metadata, the extraction module makes arequest for metadata related to a media service from an outside source.For example, the extraction module may use a metadata resource (such asMUSE, a metadata index available from SINGINGFISH, and the like) toprovide metadata related to a media service upon request. In the presentcase, the extraction module identifies a media service and issues acode. The code is acquired or derived from such techniques as using thephysical attributes of a media service (similar to how CDDB identifies aCD based on track length and number of songs), a code contained withinthe media service (ID code), and/or any other type of technique usingidentification data. The code is transmitted by the search module to themetadata resource that returns back metadata to the extraction modulefor gathering.

Indicator 315 is a cursor/icon/arrow that is manipulated by an usercontrol device, such as a remote control, with a means for movingindicator 315, such as a joystick, touchpad, trackball, scrolling dial,arrow keys, or the like. Indicator 315 is used to select betweenrendered media service 305 and 310, and to provide additional functionsrelated for the operation of media center 200. For example, a useroperates indicator 315 to resize the rendering environment displayingmedia service 310. Addition functions enabled by use of indicator 315include selecting media services, operating display or sound options,and storing media services.

Indicator 315 is also used for enabling a multimedia search for mediacontent that is related to a selected media service. For example, a usermoves indicator 315 on the window (as a rendering environment)displaying media service 310. When indicator 315 is on the window, theborder of the rendering environment becomes highlighted, as portrayed inFIG. 3B. Other ways of indicating that a media service has been selectedmay be used, as shading, hashing, changing the color of a rendered mediaservice, modifying the shape of the rendering environment, or displayingtextual information indicating that a media service is currentlyselected.

FIG. 4 displays a method for enabling a search for media content via asimplified user interface in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention. In step 405, a user enables a search for informationrelated to a media service. In the present example, referring to FIG.3B, a user moves indicator 315 to the window displaying media service310, which highlights the rendering environment's border. The user thenactivates a “search button” located on a remote control (as seen in FIG.5), the remote being an example of a user control device. Upon pressingof the search button (as a user activated switch), the remote controltransmits a radio frequency signal to set top box 218 (FIG. 2). Set topbox 218, in response to the received signal, enables a search module tobegin a search for media content related to media service 310.

In step 410, the search module gathers the metadata that was stored bythe metadata extraction module in memory 736, the metadata and metadatafields that are related to media service 310. The search module mayoptionally rank metadata fields, based on pre-selected search criteria.For example for media services 305,310, metadata fields and theircorresponding entries are listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Metadata Related to Metadata Related to Metadata Field MediaService Media Service Artist DAVE MATTHEWS SPICE GIRLS BAND Song ListCRASH, BABYLON YOU DON'T NEED TALENT TO WIN A GRAMMY Date of PerformanceJUNE 25, 2001 1997 Performing Guests DAVID GRAY ALAN CUMMINGS Title NOPUNK TOUR SPICEWORLD Media Service Type MUSIC VIDEO MOVIE Genre of MusicCOLLEGE RADIO POPULAR MUSIC

The gathered metadata is then formatted for a search query by the searchmodule in step 415. The module formats the query by using metadata fromcommonly used metadata fields, such as Artist and/or Genre of music (asspecified in programming of the search module or by user preference),although other metadata fields may be used as available. As analternative embodiment, a user may specify the fields used to create asearch query by ranking metadata fields by order of importance, forexample the user may want the Artist and Guest Performer metadata fields(assigned a high rating) to be used over the metadata field of Genre ofMusic (assigned a low rating). This ranking information is inputted viaa user control device and a menu interface, or other type of inputmeans.

The metadata fields used for a search may be further ranked based on themedia service type (movie, television show, music, Internet web page,and the like) of media service being offered. For example, a user mayspecify that for a movie, the Title and Guest performers are the twometadata fields used for supplying metadata to seed a search query. Or,for a music video, Artist and Genre are the metadata fields used tosupply metadata for a search query. Using the sample data in TABLE 3,upon the identification of a media service as being a movie (from themedia service type metadata field), the title of the movie “SPICEWORLD”and the guest performer “ALAN CUMMINGS” are used as the basis for asearch query. In contrast, for a music video, the artist name “DAVEMATTHEWS BAND” and genre of music “COLLEGE RADIO” are used as the basisof the search query for searching for related media content.

As an additional embodiment of formulating a search query, a computerprogram may be used to determine the frequency of use of specificmetadata fields. From this determination, a ranking of frequently usedmetadata fields would be established. A user would then specify how manyterms of metadata should be used for a search query from that rankinglist. For example, if it is determined that the top three metadatafields should be used for a search, the search query would use the threemost frequently identified metadata fields to use metadata to seed asearch query. If a frequently used metadata field is missing from themetadata of a selected media service, the next most frequently usedmetadata field is used for a search query. Hence, the more terms usedfor a search query, the more specific the search for related mediasservices is performed.

In the present example, the search module submits a query search usingthe metadata from the artist and genre of music video fields “DAVEMATTHEWS BAND” and “COLLEGE RADIO” in step 420. This search query issubmitted via the Internet to a search engine, such as SINGINGFISH.COMlocated at http://www.singingfish.com. The query is submitted as an XMLbased string that is compatible with the search engine; the query being(“DAVE MATTHEWS BAND” and “COLLEGE RADIO”), although other types ofqueries may be formulated, depending on user options and availablemetadata fields.

The search engine returns a list of search results in the form of an XMLstring to the search engine module in step 425. The search engine moduleformats the received results and displays the results in the form ofsearch results list, as shown in search window 320 of FIG. 3C, in step430. Search results 600 are shown in FIG. 6, as an example of contentsdisplayed in search window 320. The results contain hyperlinks (URIs) toother resources available through the Internet, specifically other mediacontent that is related to the search query. The information presentedmay be dependent on the type of media service searched. For example, amedia service of a rock concert would list information related to music,while a media service of a movie would present information as actorbiographies, award nominations, other related movies, and the like.

Optionally, the search results may be prioritized based upon the type ofmedia services returned or by specific metadata fields. A user mayspecify that for a search being performed for a media service (as amovie) that the listing of search results of related media servicescontains only specific types of media services (movies and televisionshow, for example). Similarly a user may want specific metadata fieldsto be returned as search results, (as Artist or Guest Performer). Theprioritization of search results is controlled similarly as the rankingsof metadata fields, as listed above

In step 435, the user is able to select the related media content and/orinformation listed in the search results using a user control device.Typically, a user selects a listed URl corresponding to media content bymoving the indicator 315 on the listed URI. By enabling a user activatedswitch, the media center 200 sends a request command (for example, GETHTTP) to the media content's location. The requested media content isthen transmitted back as a data signal which when received by mediacenter 200, is rendered at the appropriate media device.

FIG. 5 is a representation of remote control 500 for use with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Remote control 500transmits control signals, via a radio frequency interface, to set topbox 218 (refer to FIG. 2) for controlling media center 200 (FIG. 2).Remote control 500 has several different input means for a user to enterin control commands, for example buttons 512 represent numbers used tomake numerical selections, while directional controller 540 acceptsdirectional input, for controlling indicator 315 (refer to FIG. 3A-C),as other types of rendered objects (objects on a web page, forinstance). Directional controller 540 may be a joystick, a control pad,trackball, dial and the like. Arrow directional buttons 582, 584, 586,588 indicate up, down, right, and left respectively. These keys may alsobe used to control indicator 315 (FIG. 3A-3C).

TV 502, CABLE 504, PVR 506, represents buttons on remote control 500 forenabling and deactivating controlled devices. In the present example,buttons TV 502, CABLE 504, and PVR 506 enable and turn off highdefinition television 202, set top box 218, and PVR 230 (FIG. 2),respectively.

As a user enters commands via remote control 500; a display device, ashigh definition television 202, preferably displays charactersrepresenting the inputted commands. An on screen display (OSD) as thevideo processor 730 (FIG. 7) generates the signals that are displayed ascharacters. Displayed characters may be deleted by activating a deletebutton 522, on remote control 500, that deletes displayed characters.This deletion step represents the elimination of user input entered inerroneously. Likewise, the entry of inputted data is confirmed by enterbutton 524.

The search function, as described above, is enabled by search button550. A user may use connect button 560 to receive media services orinformation listed in the results listed for a conducted search,identified by URIs. The connect button (that would be used for step 435,above) renders a selected media service in a new rendering environmentor replaces the media service in a currently active renderingenvironment. Select button 570 jumps between URIs listed or identifiersassociated with a media content shown in the search results. Forexample, a user pressing select button 570 goes from a first displayedURl to a second displayed URI. The user may then render the mediacontent identified by a URl by pressing the connect button 560, wherethe media content, once received as a data signal, is rendered in a newwindow. Set top box 218 (FIG. 2) is able to accommodate the jumpingfeature by recognizing the http:// . . . ” prefix as the address where amedia service is obtained, although other types of resources may berecognized based on their related metadata and identifiers.

Other embodiments consistent with the principles of this invention maybe used for a user control device affecting the operation of mediacenter 200, such as sound and video control options, or additionalbuttons for enabling other devices making up media center 200.Optionally, remote control 500 accommodates alphanumeric input that canbe used to operate devices of media center 200.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and thatvarious other changes and modifications may be affected therein by oneof ordinary skill in the related art without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. A method for conducting a search using a computer comprising thesteps of: using at least one keyword to search a first and secondmetadata field in a database; and a search result returned fromsearching said first metadata field is assigned a higher ranking than asearch result returned from searching said second metadata field whensearching for a media service.
 2. The method of claim 1 where saidranking is determined in response to input from a user.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 where a first set of metadata fields used as the first andsecond metadata fields are selected when searching for a type of mediaservice.
 4. The method of claim 3 where a different set of metadatafields are used as the first and second metadata fields when searchingfor a different type of media service.
 5. The method of claim 3 whereinsaid first set of metadata fields used are selected in response to inputfrom said user.